January always seems to last forever, doesn’t it? The post-holiday slump, the dark mornings, and the wait for payday can feel like an age. But treating yourself to something special — even a little pick-me-up — can do wonders for brightening your mood.

That’s where Weekend Wishlist comes in. Every week, our shopping team rounds up the most exciting launches and hottest new finds you’ll want to know about.

This week on our radar, there’s everything from Michelle Keegan’s must-have dress for her Very collection to matching pet-and-owner knitwear (yes, really). As for beauty, Huda has launched its striking Ube Collection, while Charlotte Tilbury’s contour wand has landed in new shades.

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Meanwhile, there are skincare gems from Paula’s Choice, The Organic Pharmacy, and Allies of Skin. We’ve not forgotten about the fragrance fans either, with Phlur’s latest release guaranteed to turn heads.

Whether you’re planning a little payday splurge or just window-shopping to get through the month, here’s what’s grabbed our attention this week.

Beth’s picks:

Huda Beauty Easy Bake in Ube Birthday Cake – £34

When Huda Beauty creates a new collection of products, the whole beauty world stands up to listen. As such, when the queen of cosmetics announced a new trio in a rather unusual shade — well, it’s safe to say that my ears pricked up.

The makeup mogul released the exclusive new ‘Ube’ colour collection on January 10, which is a striking electric lilac hue. The collection includes the Easy Bake Powder in Ube Birthday, the Blush Filter in Ube Cream, and finally, the Faux-Filler Lip Gloss in UUU-Baby.

According to Kattan, the new shades are best suited to medium to tan skin tones with warm to gold undertones. Together, they deliver a flawless, blurred-skin finish for an almost filter-like effect.

My personal favourite has to be the Easy Bake. The rosy tones immediately brightened and blurred my under-eye area, giving it an instantly airbrushed effect. The formula is lightweight and super silky, making it ideal for people like me who often shy away from setting powders. You can read my full review of the collection here.

Michelle Keegan’s Asymmetric Ribbed Belted Midi Dress – £60

Following her sweet pregnancy announcement earlier this month, Michelle Keegan has launched her latest 34-piece collection with Very — and one number, in particular, has caught the eye of our fashion team. The Asymmetric Ribbed Midi Dress comes in at £60, and is sleek, slinky and flattering — not to mention the dreamiest shade of green.

The dress features a high neckline and short sleeves, with a gold belt that sits on the hips for added glamour. The stretchy, pull-on dress hugs your figure in all the right places, will rarely need ironing and is perfect for nailing a minimalist look like Keegs.

Michelle shared her inspiration behind the collection, saying, “After party season, I wanted to focus on wardrobe essentials. Classic knitwear and elevated loungewear were key. I’ve added seasonal greens and fun textures, but I kept it minimalist—my signature style.”

Coming in sizes 6-20, the dress is described as a midi, but some shoppers have suggested it should have been called a maxi due to its length. One customer who snapped up the dress soon after it went on sale wrote: “This dress is a lovely style, but why is it so long supposed to be midi? Why do designers and manufacturers always think everyone is stupidly tall?” You can shop the £60 dress here.

The Hoxton x Barc London Collection – from £40

I love nothing more than a matchy moment with my two rescue dogs, but a lot of hounds and human clothing can be cheap, cheesy and generally not really my vibe. But then I spotted this collaboration between dog-friendly hotel company The Hoxton and pet apparel brand Barc London, and I fell in love.

The new limited edition Winter Collection features three knitted jumper designs for both dogs and their owners, coming in stylish designs you would expect to see worn by the coolest people you follow on Instagram. With winter in full swing and freezing temperatures here, they’re an ultra-chic way to stay cosy during the colder months when you pop out for a walk or a coffee with your pooch.

The limited edition knits are available in sizes XS-XL, priced from £40 for dog jumpers and £60 for humans (or £100 for a set). They’re made from 100% premium cotton, so you know they’ll wash well and last. Pick your favourite design here.

Lauren’s picks:

Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Gloss Balm – £26

Peptides have been making waves in the beauty world recently for their ability to support the skin’s natural collagen production, helping to improve firmness and hydration. Paula’s Choice is the latest beauty brand to join the trend with its new Pro-Collagen Peptide Launch, which includes a luxurious gel-cream moisturiser and gloss balm.

As someone always looking for multi-tasking beauty staples, the balm has quickly become a permanent fixture in my handbag— and for good reason. The cold weather (seriously, when will it end?) often wreaks havoc on my lips, leaving them dry and chapped, but the gloss is a game changer.

Its angled applicator helps it to glide on my lips seamlessly, leaving them instantly smoother and refreshed. It also has the perfect balance of a glossy finish and long-lasting hydration without feeling sticky.

My favourite trick, however, is applying a generous layer before bed. By morning, my mouth feels soft, plump and ready to take on the day. Plus, the vivid pink tube adds a fun pop of colour to my bedside table — what’s not to like?

River Island’s Pink Knitted Wave Cardigan – £45

If the frosty weather has you yearning for sunnier times, River Island’s Pink Knitted Wave Cardigan could be just the ticket. This striking knit boasts a charming scalloped hem, a flattering V-neck and a vibrant geometric pattern in various shades of pink, making it a standout item for transitioning into spring — even if that season seems far away.

Although the cardigan’s lightweight design might not provide much warmth during the winter chill, it’s a flexible layering piece that can be adapted for both winter and spring. For now, pair it with a neutral roll-neck jumper or a chunky scarf for outdoor wear, or layer it over a snug thermal top for added insulation.

As we transition into milder weather, this bright knit will stand out as a standalone piece. Pair it with a simple white T-shirt, cropped trousers and trainers for a relaxed weekend look, or button it up and tuck it into a denim mini or wide-leg jeans for a casual off-duty ensemble.

Allies of Skin Azelaic & Kojic Advanced Clarifying Serum – £94

I get a lot of beauty products sent my way, but Allies of Skin was a new name that seriously impressed me in 2024. I’ve been singing praises for its SPF 50 Invisible Sunscreen Gel and Vitamin C and Omegas Cleansing Balm, which have quickly become staples in my skincare routine.

So, I’m excited to learn about the brand’s latest launch: its Azelaic and Kojic Advanced Clarifying Serum. As stated on the tin, it combines two standout ingredients (azelaic acid and kojic acid), known for their ability to brighten skin, fade dark spots and calm inflammation.

With that in mind, it’s ideal for anyone dealing with stubborn breakouts, lingering dark spots, or rosacea. I’ve been dealing with redness and dry spots around my nose (curse you, winter!), so naturally, I’m dying to get my hands on it—especially given how much I’ve enjoyed the brand’s other products.

That said, £94 is pricey for a serum. For a more budget-friendly alternative, Beauty Pie’s Happy Face Skin-Clearing Gel-Cream is an excellent option. It’s also formulated with azelaic acid to brighten and smooth skin and costs £22 for Beauty Pie subscribers.

Tiffany’s picks:

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand – £30

When Charlotte launched the contour wand, it became a sensation, with competitive rivals racing to launch sponge-tipped liquid bronzers for cheaper prices. Now, CT has decided to extend the Hollywood Contour Wand family with five more shades.

Other than Fair-Medium and Medium-Deep, the new shades include Fair, Medium, Tan, Tan-Deep and Deep. The formula is powered by light-blur hydra technology to help create the sought-after 3D natural soft-sculpt effect.

Beauty writer Tiffany Lo can attest to it. She swore by the “Fair-Medium” Contour Wand and loved it to bits. She said, “The soft sponge head is easy to use. I dab it on the side of my face and forehead and blend it using a brush. I use the shade Fair-Medium, but the coverage is completely buildable. I just pop it in my makeup pouch and touch it up whenever I need it.”

You can discover all the shades of Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Contour Wand here.

The Organic Pharmacy Antioxidant Duo – £125

Looking for a new anti-ageing hero skincare product? The Organic Pharmacy’s new skincare set features a face gel and serum, both formulated with ingredients that are twice as effective as retinoids in boosting collagen production.

Dimethylaminoethanol, better known as DMAE, powerfully enhances skin elasticity and luminosity; it also provides hydration and visibly reduces the appearance of wrinkles.

One shopper shared, “It made my skin feel rejuvenated and gave it a healthy glow. It felt nice and smooth.” A second wrote, “My whole complexion changes when I use these two products—my skin literally comes alive, and the smell is to die for—so uplifting.”

Clinical studies show that the skincare duo increases skin firmness by 8.4% and brightness by 10.4% after 28 days of use.

Try The Organic Pharmacy Antioxidant Duo here

Panasonic NA0J Nanoe Moisture+ and Mineral hair dryer – £229.99, was £329.99

With all the hair tools available on the market, sometimes it’s good to go back to basics. Recently, alll hairdressers have been telling me the same thing—you don’t need the multi-attachment gadget for a salon-quality blow dry.

Panasonic’s new hair dryer, the NA0J model, does not offer curling or straightening functions, but it uses nanoe technology to deeply moisturise and soften hair. With an upgraded modern design and slimmer body, it features a more efficient airflow mechanism to dry hair faster.

You can choose between three air speeds and pick a mode best suited to your needs. The best function is the scalp mode, which adjusts to a comfortable temperature so it won’t fry your hair or burn your scalp.

It also protects your hair colour from fading while the Hot and Cold alternating mode gives you a lustrous finish. One shopper said: “I’m so pleased with this hair dryer, and I take it with me on my weekend trips. I don’t have to risk frying my hair using the cheap hotel ones, and they’re so compact to pack.”

“I love the scalp mode as I have a sensitive scalp, but I kept knocking off the nozzle. It took me a few tries to secure it on the hair dryer,” another added. It’s currently on sale and reduced from £329.99 to £229.99.

Phlur Golden Rule Eau de Parfum – £99

New year, new you, new perfume. Beauty blogger-turned-entrepreneur Chriselle Lim launched her fragrance brand Phlur a few years ago, and it has amassed a huge fan base thanks to her memories-inspired creations.

Golden Rule Eau de Parfum is the brand’s latest release, with bold notes of energetic mandarin and sultry pink pepper harmonise with velvety coconut milk and vanilla cream. It’s luxurious and powerfully feminine, and fans are loving it.

One shared: “I really loved this scent a lot, and it definitely gives grown women a great everyday work scent that is bold. I definitely recommend it if you like a scent that has some character.”

Another Phlur fan gave an honest opinion: “I have all the fragrances except Heavy Cream because it’s a body spray. Golden Rule is my number four of the entire line. It is well done, but not my number one.”

Another called it “love in a bottle” and added, “My favourite fragrance of 2025 so far. It is everything you want and need. Bold and captivating. Light and sexy. Powerful but not overstated. It is the moment for every occasion. Very sexy to wear for an evening out and to bed.”

Get into Phlur’s Golden Rule EDP era here